A sample was evaluated of 4,287 finished cattle in 27 lots slaughtered at one facility. Of all cattle, 7.7% had horns. Across lots this ranged from 0 to 26.5%. If present, horns were measured for length of longest horn and for distance between horn tips....

Depreciation is a non-cash expense that is often overlooked by cow-calf producers. Photo courtesy of Troy Walz. Cow depreciation is frequently the second or third largest expense to the cow-calf enterprise after feed....

Risks abound in the stocker cattle business. For fall stocker purchases, there are three major risks to navigate and two of them are immediate. The first major risk is the price when purchasing the animals....

Preconditioning is a generic term that means different things to different people and encompasses the different operating procedures that may be applied to a calf prior to shipping. Preconditioning activities may include weaning, vaccinations, dehorning, castration, and starting calves on a high energy diet....

Cow-calf producers are nearing weaning time of their 2017 calf crop, with current market and industry trends, producers should be considering and preparing for preconditioning or weaning programs. It is important to consider the best programs for the health of calves during these stressful periods and into the feeding phases....

Labor and material costs in constructing livestock working facilities can eat a livestock producer’s lunch and put a serious damper on the checking account. However, the cost of working facilities is not so expensive when the costs associated with not having facilities are considered....

Technology has provided agriculture with new, creative and efficient ways to accomplish production goals. However, sometimes traditional tools still provide effective ways to manage the cow herd at different stages of production....

As the temperatures and humidity elevate, it is important to understand and manage to prevent heat stress in your cattle herd. Heat stress can lower performance and in severe cases cause death. Here are some recommendations to keep heat stress at a minimum....

When considering creep feeding your spring born calves, many factors will play a role in the decision. While it might always seem like a good idea to supplement calves to push them to heavier weaning weights, there are negatives as well....

published: July 6th 2017 by: Robert Wells source: Noble Foundation

The southern Plains summer heat can be hard on pastures, cows and calves, especially first-calf cows. These cows are in a special class as they are still trying to maintain body condition, actively grow, support reproduction by gestating with her second calf, and lactating....

published: June 21st 2017 by: Gary Fike source: BIF

The Tri County Steer Carcass Futurity Cooperative first helps producers collect growth and carcass data. They help them benchmark their cattle related to the industry. It is hoped that this information will be used to make genetic improvement....

published: May 18th 2017 source: Biozyme

Warmer temperatures are quickly approaching, and that means livestock producers should start considering how to help their animals handle the heat. Heat stress is almost inevitable, but some management practices can be implemented to help animals better cope with rising temperatures....

Temperament of cattle has long been recognized to influence production efficiency by having an impact on cattle handling and performance. More recently, scientists have suggested that flighty behavior of individual cattle can also affect the performance of the entire group....

published: April 4th 2017 source: K State

A Kansas State University study has shown that cattle producers can improve their profits and add another layer of safety for their herds by using ear tags in combination with growth implants. Beef cattle specialist Dale Blasi said using the two treatments reduces horn flies, a nuisance that costs the U....

The January 1, 2017 Cattle Inventory report was released January 31 and it once again proved three things. 1) I am never right about cattle inventory, few are. 2) I am sometimes close with my projections, but close is a relative term....

published: February 16th 2017 source: Zoetis

With nearly 70 years in the business, Graham Angus Farm in Georgia is known for its quality Angus genetics. The farm runs a commercial cattle operation and uses every edge to improve production and wean more pounds....

High points of leverage in a cattle production system are places where strategic inputs of time and resources potentially have impacts that are beneficial and significantly greater than the cost. The challenge in managing systems is that the areas of highest leverage may not be the most obvious....

Every new year brings with it a New Year’s resolution, and this year, mine would be to earn an extra $300 per cow. Think about it. Why not make it happen? I would anticipate trying would be better than simply griping....

STARRVILLE – Ryan Roberts, a ranch hand at 7P Ranch near Winona, put his cutting torch flame to the cracked and bent pipe-pocket hinge on a gate leading to separating pens. Ryan Roberts, a ranch hand at the 7P Ranch near Winona, tack welds a tear in a gate hinge that was damaged by a bull....